Is the Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Worth It?
Our verdict on the Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ: what the cruise, buffet and farm show give you for the price, the downsides, and when cruise-only or the Farm Tour suits you better.
If you already plan to cruise Lake Whakatipu on a first visit to Queenstown, the Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ is easy to justify, especially for couples, travellers who care about food and anyone who wants a relaxed half day. You pay for the crossing, a long buffet meal and a farm show in one booking, and on GetYourGuide it starts from US$99 with a 4.81/5 rating from 3,197 reviews.
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What the package includes
The TSS Earnslaw cruise with Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ is more than a buffet. One ticket covers:
- the scenic cruise across Lake Whakatipu
- Walter Peak High Country Farm on the far shore
- the Gourmet BBQ, as a lunch or dinner sitting
- the Colonel’s Homestead and its gardens
- a farm demonstration with sheepdogs and sheep shearing
- the return cruise to Queenstown
Plan on 3½ to 4 hours from Steamer Wharf and back. For a step-by-step account of the day, read what to expect on a Walter Peak BBQ cruise.
Our verdict
The BBQ makes sense if:
- the TSS Earnslaw is already on your list
- you want to see Lake Whakatipu from the water
- you would otherwise pay separately for lunch or dinner in Queenstown
- you enjoy eating somewhere scenic
- you have around four hours free
It makes less sense if:
- the food is the only part you care about
- you dislike buffets
- you have only a day or two in Queenstown
- animals are your main reason to go
What the food is like
The buffet uses seasonal produce, and much of it is cooked over a wood-fired grill. Expect grilled meats, seafood, salads, vegetables, vegetarian dishes and a dessert table. It is a full meal that people come for, not a token tourist lunch. Our Gourmet BBQ menu guide goes through it dish by dish.
The main strength: a whole half day in one booking
You get more than a meal. The day runs in a natural order:
Queenstown → lake cruise → Walter Peak → Homestead → BBQ → farm show → return cruise
That order suits first-time visitors well. You see the lake, the ship, a working high-country station and a long meal without arranging any of it yourself, and you are back in town by late afternoon or evening.
The downsides
- It takes 3½ to 4 hours of your day.
- It is a buffet, so there is no intimate à la carte option.
- Sittings can be busy, especially in summer.
- Low cloud or rain takes away much of the scenery.
- Drinks are extra, both on the boat and at the Homestead.
For what you pay at each sitting and what sits outside the ticket, see Walter Peak BBQ prices, deals and what’s included.
Is it good for couples?
Yes. We would usually pick dinner if atmosphere matters most to you and lunch if you want the scenery in full daylight. Our lunch vs dinner comparison covers the timings month by month.
Is it good for families?
Yes, but children who mainly want to meet animals may enjoy the Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour more. It costs from US$82 on GetYourGuide (4.80/5 from 1,148 reviews) and spends its time ashore on a guided walk among the animals.
BBQ vs cruise only
Book the TSS Earnslaw cruise on its own, from US$70 (4.67/5 from 1,418 reviews), if the ship is the main attraction and you already have meal plans in town.
Choose the Gourmet BBQ if you want the cruise, time at Walter Peak and a full meal in one booking.
BBQ vs Farm Tour
The Farm Tour suits travellers who want animals, and families with younger children.
The Gourmet BBQ suits food lovers and couples who want a relaxed visit where the meal is the main event. Our Farm Tour vs Gourmet BBQ comparison sets the two side by side on price, time and what you do ashore.
FAQ
Is the Walter Peak BBQ worth the money?
Yes, if you value the cruise, the time at Walter Peak and the meal together. If you only want the food, a good Queenstown restaurant costs you less time.
Is the food good?
For most guests the food is one of the stronger parts of the day, with grilled meats, seafood and seasonal salads.
Is it all about the food?
No. The cruise and the setting are a large part of what you pay for.
Is lunch or dinner better?
Lunch gives you the scenery in daylight; dinner has more atmosphere.
Do I need to book ahead?
Yes, especially in summer and for popular dinner dates. Check your exact date on the booking calendar, because sittings can sell out.
Cross the Lake. Eat by the Fire.
The Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ is rated 4.8/5 by more than 3,100 guests. A 45-minute crossing each way, a wood-fired buffet at the Colonel's Homestead, and a working farm demonstration — with free cancellation up to 24 hours before you sail.
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